ner out of the gates, but she went down into
the stable, where she founde faulte wyth diuers things: for
prouision whereof she committed such seueral busines to her men
on euery side, that shee remayned alone with the master
horskeper: and for feare least any should come vpon them
vnwares, she said vnto him: "Go into my garden and tarie my
comming in the litle house at the ende of the alley." Which he
did so diligently as hee had no leasure to thancke her, and
after that she had giuen order to the yeomen of the stable, shee
went to see the dogges, counterfaiting like care and diligence
to haue them wel intreated: in such wise as she seemed rather a
mayde of the chamber then a maistresse of the house: which done
shee returned into her chamber, where she made her self to be so
werie, as she went to bed, saying that she was disposed to
sleepe. All her women left her alone except one in whom she
reposed her greatest trust, and vnto whom she said: "Go downe
into the garden, and cause him whom you shall finde at the end
of the alley, to come hither." The mayde wente downe and founde
the Maister horskeeper there, whom forthwith shee brought vnto
her maistresse: and then the gentlewoman caused her mayd to go
forth to watch when her husbande came home. The lord of Auannes
seing that he was alone with his maistres, put of his
horsekeeper's apparrel, plucked from his face his false nose and
beard, and not as a feareful horsekeeper, but like such a Lord
as he was, without asking leaue of the Gentlewoman, boldly laied
him downe beside her: where hee was of that foolishe woman
receiued so ioyfully, as his estate and goodly personage did
require, continuing with her vntil the retorne of her husband:
at whose comming putting vpon him againe his counterfaite
attire, left the pleasure which by policie and malice he had
vsurped. The gentleman when hee was within, hearde tell of the
dilligence which his wife had vsed vppon his commaundemente, and
thanked her very hartelie. "Husband (said the gentlewoman) I do
but my dutie, and do assure you that if there be no ouerseer to
checke and commaunde your negligent seruaunts, you shal haue
neyther dogge nor horse well kept and ordred: forasmuche as I
knowe their slouth, and your good wil, you shalbe better serued
then you haue bin heretofore." The gentleman who thought that he
had gotten the best horsekeeper of the worlde, asked her how she
liked him. "I assure you sir (quoth she) he doth his bu